US20050186902A1 - Field-shaping shielding for radio frequency identification (RFID) system - Google Patents

Abstract

A radio frequency identification (RFID) system is described that utilizes a substantially-contiguous conductive shield to shape an electromagnetic field formed by an antenna for communication with RFID tags. The antenna and the conductive shield have substantially planar forms, and may be mounted to a surface of a check-in/check-out area. The conductive shield is positioned around the antenna and within a plane parallel to the antenna, e.g., within the same plane. The conductive shield shapes the electromagnetic field to extend substantially in a direction perpendicular to the antenna, and prevents the electromagnetic field from forming substantially over the conductive shield.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD
• The invention relates to radio frequency identification (RFID) systems for article management.
BACKGROUND
• Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technology has become widely used in virtually every industry, including transportation, manufacturing, waste management, postal tracking, airline baggage reconciliation, and highway toll management. A typical RFID system includes a plurality of RFID tags, at least one RFID reader or detection system having an antenna for communication with the RFID tags, and a computing device to control the RFID reader. The RFID reader includes a transmitter that may provide energy or information to the tags, and a receiver to receive identity and other information from the tags. The computing device processes the information obtained by the RFID reader.
• In general, the information received from an RFID tag is specific to the particular application, but often provides an identification for an article to which the tag is fixed. Exemplary articles include manufactured items, books, files, animals or individuals, or virtually any other tangible articles. Additional information may also be provided for the article. The tag may be used during a manufacturing process, for example, to indicate a paint color of an automobile chassis during manufacturing or other useful information.
• The transmitter of the RFID reader outputs RF signals through the antenna to create an electromagnetic field that enables the tags to return an RF signal carrying the information. In some configurations, the transmitter initiates communication, and makes use of an amplifier to drive the antenna with a modulated output signal to communicate with the RFID tag. In other configurations, the RFID tag receives a continuous wave signal from the RFID reader and initiates communication by responding immediately with its information.
• A conventional tag may be an “active” tag that includes an internal power source, or a “passive” tag that is energized by the field created by the RFID reader. In either case, the tags communicate using a pre-defined protocol, allowing the RFID reader to receive information from one or more tags. The computing device serves as an information management system by receiving the information from the RFID reader and performing some action, such as updating a database. In addition, the computing device may serve as a mechanism for programming data into the tags via the transmitter.
• Conventional antennas for RFID readers have a single inductive loop and operate in a relatively high frequency range, e.g., 3 megahertz (MHz) to 30 MHz. Consequently, these antennas tend to create magnetic fields that suffer from “holes,” i.e., regions in which an RFID tag cannot be read even though the RFID tag is located relatively near the antenna. For example, depending on the orientation and location of the article to which the RFID tag is affixed, in some situations the RFID tag may be centered above a single turn of the inductive loop of the antenna during interrogation. In this situation, substantially equal current may be imposed on opposite sides of the RFID tag, which leads to a cancellation effect. As a result, the RFID tag may not be able to achieve RFID communication with the reader.
• In addition, conventional antennas used with desktop RFID readers tend to create magnetic fields that extend horizontally beyond the edges of the antennas. Consequently, articles placed proximate the antenna, e.g., next to the antenna on the desktop, may be inadvertently read by the reader, which can lead to undesired results. For example, books associated with one library patron and located next to an antenna in a library management system may be inadvertently checked out to another patron.
SUMMARY
• In general, a field-shaping antenna and shielding component are described that shape the magnetic field into a desirable configuration for use in an RFID system. More specifically, a dual-loop antenna is described in which the loops are positioned and spaced in a manner that reduces the size of the holes within the resulting magnetic field. In addition, the configuration of the described dual-loop antenna achieves increased field size relative to a single loop antenna with equivalent power and decreases inter-winding capacitance, thereby increasing overall read range achieved by the antenna.
• In addition, a conductive shield is described that further refines and shapes the magnetic field produced by the antenna. For example, the antenna may be positioned substantially horizontally on a desktop or countertop. The conductive shield may be oriented parallel to the plane of the antenna, including located in the same plane as the antenna, and generally surrounding the antenna to limit the extent to which the electromagnetic field extends horizontally beyond the edges of the antenna. As a result, an electromagnetic field is produced that generally projects above and below the antenna, thus defining a generally vertical communication zone in which RFID tags can be read.
• In one embodiment, a multi-loop antenna comprises a plurality of conductive loops to produce an electromagnetic field for radio frequency identification (RFID) communication with RFID tags. The conductive loops are spaced apart at least a distance that is selected based on a dimension of the RFID tags with which the antenna communicates.
• In another embodiment, a radio frequency identification (RFID) system comprises an RFID tag associated with an article, and an antenna having a plurality of conductive loops to produce an electromagnetic field for communication with the RFID tag. The conductive loops are spaced at least a distance that is selected based at least in part on a dimension of the RFID tag.
• In another embodiment, a radio frequency identification (RFID) system comprises an antenna that forms an electromagnetic field for communication with RFID tags, wherein the antenna has a substantially planar form. A substantially-contiguous conductive shield is positioned around the antenna and within a plane parallel to the antenna.
• The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating anexemplary RFID system2 that incorporates the techniques described herein.
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram that further illustrates on embodiment of an antenna of the RFID system ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 3 is a plan view of an exemplary dual-loop antenna.
• FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the dual-loop antenna ofFIG. 3.
• FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a dual-loop antenna utilized in conjunction with a conductive shield to further refine and shape the resultant magnetic field.
• FIG. 6 is a side view perspective diagram illustrating exemplary effects on a magnetic field from a conductive shield on a single loop antenna.
• FIG. 7 is another side view perspective diagram illustrating exemplary field-shaping effects of a conductive shield.
• FIG. 8A is a perspective diagram illustrating a side views of an embodiment in which a conductive shield and an antenna are mounted below a working surface.
• FIG. 8B is a perspective diagram illustrating a side views of an embodiment in which an antenna is mounted in a recessed portion of a working surface, and a conductive shield is mounted in a non-recessed portion of the working surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating anexemplary RFID system2 that incorporates the techniques described herein. In the illustrated example ofFIG. 1,RFID system2 is used to track books, document, files or other articles. The RFID system may, for example, be deployed within libraries, law offices, government agencies, or other facilities that generate and/or store documents and files, such as business, criminal, and medical records. The articles contain RFID tags that uniquely identify the articles. In addition, each RFID tag may also contain information describing the article, and status information indicating whether removal of the article is authorized. The RFID tags may be embedded within the articles so that the tags are substantially imperceptible, thereby reducing or prevent tampering.
• In general,RFID system2 operates within a frequency range of the electromagnetic spectrum, such as 13.56 MHz, with an allowable frequency variance of +/−7 kHz. However, other frequencies may be used for RFID applications, and the invention is not so limited. For example, some RFID systems in large storage areas such as a warehouse may use an RFID system that operates at approximately 900 MHz.
• As illustrated inFIG. 1,system2 includes anexit control system5 that detects unauthorized removal of articles from a protected area. For example, the protected area may be a library and the articles may be books or other articles that are generally checked out from and back into the library. The techniques could also be applied to other kinds of articles without departing from the scope of the present invention.
• Exit control system5 includeslattices9A and9B which define an interrogation zone or corridor located near the exit of protected area. Thelattices9A and9B include antennas for interrogating the RFID tags as they pass through the corridor to determine whether removal of the item to which the tag is attached is authorized.Exit control system5 may utilize at least one RFID reader (not shown) to drive the antennas. To detect a tag, the RF reader outputs RF power through the antennas to create an electromagnetic field within the interrogation corridor. In general, the terms “electromagnetic field” and “magnetic field” are used interchangeably herein as the magnetic component is used to couple with the RFID tags.
• The RF reader receives information from any tags present within the interrogation corridor, andexit control system5 determines whether removal of the article is authorized. If removal of the article is not authorized,exit control system5 initiates some appropriate security action, such as sounding an audible alarm, locking an exit gate, etc.
• In addition,RFID system2 includes a check-in/check-outarea11 by which an authorized person, e.g., a library patron or staff member, processes articles for removal or return. In particular, check-in/check-outarea11 includes anRFID reader18 for interrogating RFID tags fixed to articles and changing their status as desired, e.g., checking-in or checking-out the articles.
• In addition, articles may be positioned in a number of storage areas12, e.g., on anopen shelf12A, acabinet12B, avertical file separator12C or a other location, as shown inFIG. 1. Each smart storage area12 includes tag interrogation capability which enables tracking of articles throughout a facility. In a library setting, for example, a book could be tracked after check-in while onshelf12A.
• The RFID tags themselves may take any number of forms without departing from the scope of the present invention. Examples of commercially available RFID tags include 3M™ RFID tags available from 3M Company, St. Paul, Minn., or “Tag-it” RFID transponders available from Texas Instruments, Dallas, Tex. An RFID tag typically includes an integrated circuit operatively connected to an antenna that receives RF energy from a source and backscatters RF energy in a manner well known in the art. The RFID tag modulates the RF energy providing a backscattered signal to communicate information about the RFID tag and its associated article.
• Anarticle management system14 provides a centralized database of the tag information for each article in the facility.Article management system14 may be networked or otherwise coupled to one or more computers so that individuals, such as a librarian, at various locations, can access data relative to those items. For example, a user may request the location and status of a particular article, such as a book.Article management system14 may retrieve the article information from a database, and report to the user the last location at which the article was located within one of the smart storage areas. Optionally,article management system14 can re-poll or otherwise re-acquire the current location of an article to verify that the article is in the location indicated in the database.
• As described in further detail below,RFID system2 incorporates the techniques described herein. Check-in/check-outarea11 andRFID reader18, for example, may incorporate a field-shaping dual-loop antenna13 and aconductive shield16 that produce a magnetic field in a desirable configuration. For example,RFID reader18 may incorporate dual-loop antenna13 described herein in which the loops are positioned and spaced in a manner that reduces the size of the holes within the resulting magnetic field. In addition, the configuration of the described dual-loop antenna13 achieves increased field size relative to a single loop antenna with equivalent power and decreases inter-winding capacitance, thereby increasing overall read range achieved byRFID reader18.
• In addition, check-in/check-outarea11 may utilize aconductive shield16 to further refine and shape the magnetic field produced byantenna13. For example, as illustrated,antenna13 may be mounted substantially horizontally on, within, or belowdesktop15.Conductive shield16 may be located planar to and generally surroundingantenna13 to prevent the electromagnetic field from extending horizontally beyond the edges of the antenna. As a result, an electromagnetic field is produced that generally projects above and belowantenna13, thus defining a generally vertical communication zone in which RFID tags can be read.Conductive shield16 may be mounted ondesktop15, or below or within the desktop out of view from library patrons and staff.Conductive shield16 need not necessarily be electrically grounded to shape the magnetic field as described herein.
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram that further illustratesantenna13. As illustrated,antenna13 generally includesdual loops20 that, as described in further detail below, are positioned and spaced in a manner that reduces the size of the holes within the resulting magnetic field and achieves increased field size and strength. Although discussed generally as having dual loops,antenna13 may have additional loops that are spaced based on the desired size of the tag communication zone as well as the dimensions of the individual tags.
• Tuning circuit22 tunesdual loops20 to a resonant frequency, and provides impedance matching and signal conversion between the loop structure andcable26, which may be a co-axial cable.Reader18 is coupled to tuningcircuit22 viacable26 and utilizesantenna13 for both RFID transmit and receive operations. Consequently,reader18 may include a directional coupler to interpret the signal returned from tuningcircuit22.
• FIG. 3 is a plan view of an exemplary dual-loop antenna30. In one exemplary embodiment, dual-loop antenna30 includes aninner loop32 and anouter loop34 that reside on parallel layers of a printed circuit board. In another embodiment,inner loop32 andouter loop32 reside in a co-planar relationship.
• Due to the configuration of dual-loop antenna30, current (I) from reader18 (FIGS. 1, 2) flows through each conductive edge ofloops32,34 in the same direction. As a result, the electromagnetic fields created by the parallel conductive edges ofloops32,34 are additive in nature and achieve a resultant field having an increased field size relative to a single loop antenna with equivalent power.
• In addition,inner loop32 andouter loop34 are positioned and spaced so as to reduce the number and/or size of any potential holes within the resultant magnetic field. For example, unlike conventional single-loop antennas,reader18 may be able to achieve successful communication with an RFID tag positioned directly above a conductive edge of the antenna. More specifically, in this situation a conventional single-loop RFID antenna may produce substantially equal current on opposite sides of the RFID tag, which leads to a cancellation effect. In contrast, an RFID tag centered above an edge ofouter loop34, for example, will achieve increased current on the inner side of the RFID tag due toinner loop32. Similarly, an RFID tag centered above an edge ofinner loop32, for example, will achieve increased current on the outer side of the RFID tag due toouter loop34. In either case, the increased current achieves increased energy within the RFID tag, allowing the RFID tag to successfully communicate withRFID reader18. In this manner, the described configuration of dual-loop antenna30 may reduce the number and/or size of any holes within the resultant electromagnetic field.
• In one embodiment,inner loop32 andouter loop34 may be positioned at least a distance D apart, where D is selected based on a dimension of an RFID tag for use within the system. For example, sizes for many conventional 13.56 MHz RFID tags range in dimension from 0.5″×1″ (1.27 cm×2.54 cm) to 2″×3″ (5.08 cm×7.62 cm). Thus, in one embodiment D may be selected to exceed a maximum dimension of the RFID tag to ensure that no RFID tag can be positioned across both ofinner loop32 andouter loop34, which may be advantageous in increasing the ability ofreader18 to achieve successful communication with the tags regardless of tag location. Consequently, in one embodiment D≧2.54 cm. In another embodiment, D≧5.08 cm.
• Although illustrated for exemplary purposes with respect to generally rectangular dual-loops, other forms of loops may readily be used, such as round, oval or other geometric configurations.
• FIG. 4 is an exploded view ofantenna30 ofFIG. 3. As described above,antenna30 comprises afirst layer40 that containsinner loop32 and asecond layer42 that containsouter loop34.Layers40,42 may, for example, be layers stacked on top of one another to form a multi-layered printed circuit board.
• FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a dual-loop antenna60 utilized in conjunction with aconductive shield66 to further refine and shape the resultant magnetic field. Although illustrated for exemplary purposes with respect to a dual-loop antenna,conductive shield66 may be used with other forms of antennas, such as single or multi-loop antennas of square, round or other configurations.
• Conductive shield66 may be viewed as four conductiveplanar regions65A-65D that form a nearly contiguous conductive shield having a non-shieldedinner region61 aroundantenna60.Conductive shield66 prevents passage of an electromagnetic field, thereby limiting the magnetic field created byantenna60 to the inner region. In other words, the magnetic field created byantenna60 extends vertically (e.g., inward and outward fromFIG. 6) withininner region61, but is prevented from forming substantially overconductive shield66 due to the conductive nature of the conductive shield.
• Conductive shield66 includes adisconnect area63 that prevents a closed loop from being formed aroundantenna60, thereby preventing current from forming within the conductive shield. In general,disconnect area63 may have a gap of a minimum distance D4 sufficient to create an electrical disconnect withinconductive shield66 and not substantially reduce the shielding effect of the conductive shield. For example,conductive shield66 may be conventional copper or other conductive shielding, and distance D4 need not be more than a few millimeters.
• In general,conductive shield66 is located a distance D3 fromouter loop64, and the distance D3 therefore defines the outer-most regions of the tag communication zone created byantenna60. In other words, D3 defines the outermost limits of non-shieldedinner region61 in which the tags may be read whenantenna60 is driven with sufficient power to generate a magnetic field having sufficient strength to achieve successful communication throughout the inner region.
• Eachconductive regions65A-65D has a width of D5, which generally is determined based on the strength of the magnetic field formed byantenna60. For example, the width D5 of eachconductive regions65A-65D must be sufficient that the field strength at any region beyond, e.g., outside, ofconductive shield66 is below a threshold level necessary for RFID communication. In this manner,conductive shield66 substantially prevents RFID communication in areas aboveconductive shield66 until the field itself has reached a reduced field strength insufficient for RFID communication, which may be at any point between the inner edges and the outer edges of conductive regions65. Consequently, D5 may be viewed as a minimum width of conductive regions65, and the conductive regions may have greater widths. For example, conductive regions65 may be extended beyond the distance D5 for other reasons, e.g., manufacturing simplicity. Moreover, conductive regions65 need not be of uniform widths, but rather each should preferably exceed the minimum distance D5.
• FIG. 6 is a side view perspective diagram illustrating the effects on a magnetic field from a conductive shield for which aleft portion70 and aright portion72 are depicted. For simplicity, a single-loop antenna is illustrated inFIG. 6 byconductive traces74 and76. It should be realized that with respect to the effects of a conductive shield, a dual-loop antenna may be logically viewed as a single loop antenna having a radius equal to an average between the radii associated with the dual loops.
• As illustrated inFIG. 6, current I withinconductive traces74 and76 create respectivemagnetic fields82 and84. Notably,magnetic fields82,84 would extend toregions78,80, respectively, but for the shielding affects ofleft portion70 andright portion72, respectively. Thus, it should be realized that locatingleft portion70 andright portion72 nearer toconductive traces74 and76 would further limit the outward extent to which the resultant magnetic field is formed. In addition, locatingleft portion70 andright portion72 nearer toconductive traces74 and76 would further limit the extent to withfields82,84 extend inward to the opposite conductive trace. The overall communication zone for this single loop antenna is the approximate sum of themagnetic fields82 and84.
• For this reason, D3 (FIG. 5) is selected to exceed a minimum distance necessary for themagnetic fields82,84 (FIG. 6) to overlap so as to ensure that a field strength is achieved within the loops sufficient for RFID communication.
• In one embodiment, for example, D3 is selected to approximately equal the average of D1 and D2 as follows:
  D3≧(D1+D2)/2.  (1)
  In addition, D2 is selected to equal approximately 1.5*D1. For example, D1, D2 and D3 may equal 2″ (5.08 cm), 3.5″ (8.89 cm), and 2.75″ (6.98 cm) respectively. This particular selection for distance D3 allows the resultant magnetic field created byinner loop62 and outer loop64 (FIG. 5) to extend from these loops both in the inward and outward directions to entirely coverantennae60 with sufficient strength to achieve RFID communication.
• FIG. 7 is another side view perspective diagram illustrating the field-shaping effects of a conductive shield. In particularFIG. 7 illustrates a resultantelectromagnetic field90 produced byantenna94 and shaped by a conductive shield, of which aleft portion92A and aright portion92B are depicted. As illustrated, the conductive shield limits the extent to whichelectromagnetic field90 outwardly extends fromantenna94, thereby preventing inadvertent reading of RFID tags located beyond the horizontal edges of a defined communication zone.
• FIG. 8A is a perspective diagram illustrating a side view of one embodiment of a check-in/check-outarea100 in which anantenna102 andconductive shield104 are mounted below asurface106. In this example,antenna102 andconductive shield104 create an RFIDtag communication zone107 abovesurface106.Surface106 may include visual indicia identifying the edges of the communication zone. In this manner,conductive shield104 prevents inadvertent reading of RFID tags inareas108 beyond the definedcommunication zone107.
• FIG. 8B is a perspective diagram illustrating a side view of another embodiment of a check-in/check-outarea110. In this example,desktop116 forms arecess120, below whichantenna112 is mounted.Conductive shield114 is mounted to surroundantenna112, on the non-recessed portion ofdesktop116. In this example,antenna112 andconductive shield114 create an RFIDtag communication zone117, and the conductive shield prevents inadvertent reading of RFID tags inareas118 beyond the defined communication zone. In another embodiment,desktop116 does not formrecess120, andantenna112 is mounted below the desktop.
• Various embodiments of the invention have been described. These and other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (16)

1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) system comprising:

an antenna that forms an electromagnetic field for communication with RFID tags, wherein the antenna has a substantially planar form; and

a substantially-contiguous conductive shield positioned around the antenna and within a plane parallel to the antenna.

2. The RFID system ofclaim 1, wherein the conductive shield shapes the electromagnetic field to extend substantially in a direction perpendicular to the antenna, and prevents the electromagnetic field from forming substantially over the conductive shield.

3. The RFID system ofclaim 1, wherein the conductive shield comprises planar conductive regions oriented to form a non-shielded inner region, and further wherein the antenna is disposed within the non-shielded inner region and parallel to the planar conductive regions.

4. The RFID system ofclaim 3, wherein the conductive regions define at least one disconnect area that prevents the conductive shield from forming a closed conductive loop around the antenna

5. The RFID system ofclaim 3, wherein the antenna comprises one or more conductive loops including an outer loop, and the conductive regions of the conductive shield are located at least a distance D from an outer loop of the antenna that is selected based on a radius of the outer loop.

6. The RFID system ofclaim 3, wherein the antenna has a first conductive loop having a radius D1 and a concentric second conductive loop having a radius D2, and the conductive regions of the conductive shield are located at least a distance D3 from the outer loop, and wherein D3 is selected as approximately the average of D1 and D2.

7. The RFID system ofclaim 3, wherein each of the conductive regions have respective widths extending outward from the antenna, and further wherein the widths are selected based at least in part on a threshold level of the magnetic field necessary for RFID communication between the antenna and the RFID tags.

8. The RFID system ofclaim 7, wherein the widths are selected to extend sufficiently in directions parallel to and outward from the antenna to prevent the electromagnetic field from forming in or above the conductive regions until the strength of the magnetic field reduces to below the communication threshold.

9. The RFID system ofclaim 1, wherein the antenna and the conductive shield are mounted to a working surface of an RFID check-in/check-out area.

10. The RFID system ofclaim 9, wherein the working surface has a recessed area and a non-recessed area, and further wherein the antenna is mounted to the recessed area of the working surface and the conductive shield is mounted to the non-recessed area.

11. The RFID system ofclaim 1, wherein the conductive shield and the antenna are co-planar.

12. The RFID system ofclaim 1, wherein the conductive shield and the antenna are located in two different parallel planes.

13. The RFID system ofclaim 1, further comprising:

an RFID interrogation device coupled to the antenna, wherein the interrogation device interrogates the RFID tags to obtain information regarding associated articles; and

a computing device to process the information retrieved from the RFID interrogation device.

14. The RFID system ofclaim 1, wherein the antenna comprises a plurality of conductive loops to produce the electromagnetic field, and wherein the conductive loops are spaced apart at least a distance D that is selected based on a dimension of the RFID tags with which the antenna communicates.

15. The RFID system ofclaim 14, wherein the distance D is selected to exceed a maximum dimension of the RFID tags.

16. The RFID system ofclaim 14, wherein the RFID tags have a dimension of length M, and the distance D between each of the plurality of conductive loops is selected such that D≧M.

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